This year is going to be different without being able to gather with extended family and friends. The City of Nanaimo Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture is here to help make this season a bit brighter.
Enjoy time outside. Get out and explore Nanaimo’s many parks. Head up to Sugar Loaf Mountain and enjoy the lights. This wonderful tradition of lighting up the park began in 1960 and has been carried on by off-duty Nanaimo firefighters. Or, burn off some energy on our sports fields with our Light up the Night Family Field Fun nights.
Solve a puzzle. Join in on the City-wide scavenger hunt this winter with the Frosty Bucket challenge. This frosty take on the summer-time Golden Bucket, will have you exploring local parks and streets this holiday season for the Frosty Bucket stickers. This version of the usual bucket search is a little different with participants finding 12 words, unscrambing those words and then creating a phrase to win some great prizes. Daily clues will be posted on Facebook, Instagram (@nanaimoparksandrec) and on the City website. Find out how to play on the Frosty Bucket Contest page on the City website.
Tell a story. Take your kids (or yourself) on a StoryWalk®. “Snowmen at Night” will be up in various City parks throughout the month of December. It will be at Bowen Park December 9 & 10, Oliver Woods Playground December 14-18 (taken down at 11am) and Walley Creek Trail by Harry Wipper Field December 18-28, 2020. The StoryWalk® concept was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and was developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
Get on the ice. We will be hosting special holiday skates from December 21 to January 1. Sponsored by local businesses, these $2 skates are a thank you to the community. You will have to register to attend these sessions. Registration for each session opens 72 hours in advance.
Go for a swim. The Nanaimo Aquatic Centre is open for swim sessions. You will need to book ahead up to 72 hours in advance of the time you want to go.
Attend a Winter Break camp. We are still offering the Frosty Frolic day camp during the kids time off so you can get some last-minute holiday prep done and your kids can enjoy games, crafts and more. Staff are following a COVID safety plan to ensure everyone is healthy and safe. Register for the Frosty Frolic camp today.
Whatever you choose to do and whatever holiday you celebrate, the City of Nanaimo wishes you a safe and merry season.